SPRINGFIELD, Mo., December 17, 2020 — Drury University is partnering with local donors, businesses and civic groups for a fundraising campaign that will impact the lives of students in the Ava area.
The campaign is made possible thanks to an initial $2,000 grant from the Douglas County Community Foundation, with Drury pledging to raise additional funds for the Ava community in support of the grant. That gift was soon followed by a matching gift as a lead sponsorship from HomePride Bank, which then spurred additional donations from Drury alumni and others in the area, including Great Southern Bank.
So far, nearly $13,000 has been raised. The combined gifts have led to a dollar-for-dollar matching opportunity for new donors. Every dollar raised goes back into the Ava community to support scholarships and financial aid for residents to use in three ways:
All of the classes and training programs are offered through Drury GO, the university’s longstanding evening and online program, which has a campus location in Ava.
“HomePride Bank is pleased to make this investment in the Ava community that will help not only high school students pursue a degree, but also evening and online students pursue additional education and opportunities,” says Bart Ellison, senior vice president with HomePride Bank.
Ava native Ellison and his wife, Melanie, both earned undergraduate degrees from Drury. Ellison went on to earn an MBA from Drury’s Breech School of Business Administration in 2004. “Education changes lives for the better and HomePride is here to support opportunities for our neighbors,” he adds.
The scholarships will make a significant difference for people in various stages of life who are looking to take their education or career to the next level, says Aaron Jones, interim executive vice president of evening and online programs.
“Education is an equalizer in the face of uncertainty, and it’s inspiring to see local donors stepping up to help open doors for their neighbors and fellow residents of Ava and Douglas County,” Jones says. “Drury is committed to ensuring these programs open up new opportunities for these deserving students, regardless of their preferred pathway.”
National partner in GiveCampus
In addition to the matching dollars given by alumni donors, Drury’s campaign is also supported by a grant from GiveCampus, the nation’s leading social giving platform for colleges and universities. GiveCampus is donating $1 million in fundraising support for programs and initiatives that promote greater mobility through targeted assistance for low-income students, first-generation students and underrepresented minorities. So far, GiveCampus has awarded more than $500,000 in fundraising support for such initiatives at 25 schools.
For more about the campaign, or to make a gift online, to go to: www.drury.edu/go-give.
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